(Note: This is part 1 of a series.) I’d been praying about writing this, but the topic truly doesn’t fit the tone of Rhapsody en Route. The goal of this blog is authenticity. Real and raw. No veneers allowed. But nowadays, “authenticity” seems like a buzz word. Almost too cliché, and clichés are like shoes…

(Note: I apologize for the long post. Normally my posts are 300-500 words. Think of it as chapter 1 of a book.) Brokenness, I now believe, exudes beauty. Like a kaleidoscope, the shattered pieces of our souls display splendor against the dark canvases of our hearts. The mosaic of our stories paint powerful pieces of art. But during…

A few years ago, shortly after I put away the Thanksgiving dishes, I started to panic. How would I get Christmas together? My heart raced and my palms felt sweaty as I thought of everything I had to do before the big day – shop, decorate, bake, wrap gifts, clean, cook, and attend celebrations. Wait a…

Years ago, I began a tradition of writing a thank you letter to God. Each November I sat with pen in hand, silently reflecting in solitude on the gracious gifts God bestowed on me. If you could have looked into the windows of my life at the time, I possessed few belongings. I left my…

The word “wholeheartedly” almost lifted off the pages as I studied Joshua 14. Twice in the chapter, Caleb reminded Joshua how he had followed God wholeheartedly while the rest of the explorers “made the hearts of the people melt with fear.” Quite a word picture. I envisioned them shaking, dripping with sweat, as they lost courage and focused on their circumstances…

My friends call me a prayer warrior. This may stem from my thinking of prayer as a way of life. I do pray in my quiet time, and I also pray for needs of people when a situation makes my soul cry. Often times, I pray while watching the news as different stories touch the raw…

Wisdom. I recently realized wisdom plays a starring role in the Bible. People often pray for health, relationships, jobs and finances. But I doubt many people pray for the Lord to saturate their souls with wisdom. I’m not talking about wisdom in particular circumstances, as in James 1:5. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he…

“Where is everybody going?” my 91 year old mother-in-law asked, her forehead furrowed. “And why are they in such a hurry?” What a profound question. Where is everybody going, and why are we racing as if the world would crumble if we slowed down? For a woman who dropped out of seventh grade to work…

A few years ago, shortly after drying the Thanksgiving dishes, I started to panic. How would I get Christmas together? My heart raced and my palms felt sweaty as I thought of everything I had to do before the big day – shop, decorate, bake, wrap gifts, clean, cook, and attend celebrations. Wait a minute. Isn’t…

Years ago, I began a tradition of writing a thank you letter to God. Each November I sat with pen in hand, silently reflecting in solitude on the gracious gifts God bestowed on me. If you could have looked into the windows of my life at the time, I possessed few belongings. I left my abusive…

You’re going a zillion miles an hour, checking items off your To Do list. You feel like a robot fueled by caffeine and anxiety. Whether they’re tasks at work or at home, all seem important. Your heart desires to spend time in scripture and in prayer. That’s what makes your heart sing. You understand…

During one frame of my life movie, a friend betrayed me. I called out to God for wisdom and peace several times a day. Even so, my heart bled. This coincided with reading through the Bible for the twelfth time, or so. The part where Job lost everything – his entire family (except his naggy wife…

Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Bold print my own.) A few weeks ago I read this passage for a women’s Bible study, and the word “nothing” caught me by surprise. It almost lifted off the page to stand alone. I’ve…

“Where is everybody going?” my 91 year old mother-in-law asked, her forehead furrowed. “And why are they in such a hurry?” What a profound question. Where is everybody going, and why are we racing as if the world would crumble if we slowed down? For a woman who dropped out of seventh grade to work…

Note: This post was written by Anita Peluso. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter…

I recently read a book that challenged my heart greatly. Although the information wasn’t new, Francis Chan’s Crazy Love created a deep stirring in my soul. It’s no wonder that hundreds of readers have dramatically changed their lives after reading the book. The first time I heard of Chan’s book, a friend mentioned she was…

While Americans ripped open packages and feasted on turkey, cookies, and fudge during December, Haitians experienced quite the opposite conditions. As we gathered with friends and family in decked out houses with lights and trees, many of them were forced to find shelter under blue plastic tarps. Crammed in with other hungry, desperate people, rapes…

I recently met Kim, an old college friend, at Southcenter Mall. She asked to treat me to The Spaghetti Factory for a belated birthday lunch. After a lot of arm-twisting (okay, not really!), I agreed. We enjoyed catching up on each other’s lives over salad, warm sourdough bread, spinach ravioli, and pasta with clam…

December 1, 2005 Dear Friends and Family, Last month I had the privilege of visiting some close friends in Sundance, Wyoming. If it rings a bell, that’s not Santa’s sleigh settling on your roof or in your head. Sundance is the place the Sundance Kid did his thing. Nestled against the Black Hills, this little…

A few years ago, shortly after the Thanksgiving dishes were put away, I started to panic. How would I get Christmas together? My heart raced and my palms felt sweaty as I thought of everything I had to do before the big day – shop, decorate, bake, wrap gifts, clean, cook, and attend celebrations. Wait…

Twelve Days of Ramsey Song (To be sung to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”) by Cherrie Herrin-Michehl (www.cherriemac.wordpress.com, http://www.cherriesotherblog.com) COPYRIGHT 2008 Cherrie Herrin-Michehl On the first day of Ramsey I lived like no one else, 1. I shredded all of my credit cards (a partridge in a pear tree) 2. Got on…

Dear Friends and Family: It was a glorious day in October. The sun and clouds fought fiercely until finally the sun claimed victory A few leaves lazily sauntered down from the Japanese maple to kiss the soggy ground. I felt bored out of my skull as I sat behind my laptop dreaming up ways…

Rottweilers were on the tippy top of Santa’s naughty list that cold, blustery day in December of ‘93. The dude in the red duds was tired of all the letters he had received about Rottweilers causing havoc all over the world. Poor Daphne, my 91-pound Rotty, had to pay the price. It just wasn’t fair…

This can’t be happening, I told myself. Clayton seemed to have been around forever. Not only that, but part of me hoped and prayed that he would live forever. You could almost drown in his ocean blue eyes, and his smile would knock you to the ground if you weren’t braced. He seemed as stable…

Mary sighed, wondering why men often forget their cell phones. Is it a genetic problem- or what,she asked herself. She made a mental note to check it out on Wikipedia when arriving back home. If onlyJoseph would have booked reservations online with his new smart phone, I would have an easier birth process, she thought. …

“Where is everybody going?” my 91 year old mother-in-law asked, her forehead furrowed. “And why are they in such a hurry?” What a profound question, I thought. Where is everybody going, and why are we racing as if the world will crumble if we slow down? For a woman who dropped out of seventh grade…

People worship celebrities, rock stars and multi-millionaires. But this raw piece of life haunted me in a way that is forever imprinted on my soul. Truly, I will never be the same. Springing out of the bed one rainy Seattle Christmas day, I drove to Starbucks to buy some lattes for my husband and me….

You never know when the curtain of someone’s life will close. Jennifer Michehl entered my life over 20 years ago. She told me I was like the big sister she’d never had. I was honored when she frequently she said she could tell me anything. I didn’t try to fill any certain role for her –…

He dripped of money to the point that people could almost smell it on him. In today’s terms, the man owned more than the King of Geeks, the creator of the most successful software company. Richer than a 7-layer chocolate Torte, the king’s palace glistened with gold, gems and more bling than a diva decorated with diamonds….

You don’t understand how they can possibly think that way. But of course they feel the same way about you. Here are a few things to consider when navigating your friendship with people of other political slants. 1. Everyone has a unique story. Your life story is unique to you. Your friend’s story plays a powerful…

Originally posted on Is Anybody REALLY Listening?: ? Four years is how long I spent in high school; it’s how long it takes to get a Bachelor’s Degree, and in four years a child ages from ten to fourteen. Four years would be a good stint at a job, and four years of marriage gives you credibility…

Be honest. When you ponder the sweetest desires of your soul, what emerges? When asked this question, most relationships and riches. Some say “health,” but often only if they or their loved ones suffered profound health deficits. What about you? Peer into the glass doors exposing your true heart. What longings linger within? Most answer,…

I’m amazed that an unexpected gift resulted from surviving a violent crime. (Due to an ongoing investigation, I’m not at liberty to describe the situation at this point.) I don’t want to make this sound like an easy journey, finished and wrapped up in a red satin Christmas bow. That’s as far from the truth…

You scroll aimlessly down your screen, peering into the lives of your “friends.” You’ve shared laughter, tears, and life’s deepest fears with many of your closest companions. Others you know more casually. A third layer of “friends” you wouldn’t recognize if they showed up at your door. But that’s okay because they have you “hidden” on their…

What are you trying to prove? Before you say, “Nothing,” look into your soul and ask yourself the question in the mirror. Are you trying to prove you’re loveable? You’re good enough? Valuable enough, special enough? You’re smart enough? You’re pretty enough or handsome enough? You’re important enough? How much time, money, effort, exercise and study…